Honda Announces S2000 Production End in 2009

2009 Honda S2000 CR

By Zack Newmark
January 26, 2009 11:54 PM
Filed Under: Corporate/Financial, Honda, Japanese

The sad news is finally official. Honda will halt production on the S2000 after the end of the 2009 model year.

What was supposed to be a limited edition car wound up being a hit. The S2000 was released to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Japanese company, with production extended to respond to demand. Over 65,000 S2000 units were sold in the U.S. since the introduction of the roadster in 1999, and another 45,000 in other markets worldwide.

"The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts," Honda exec John Mendel said in a company release. "It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans."

Many factors are to blame for the demise of the S2000. With the economic crisis hitting the auto industry from every direction, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui decided it was time for the company to shift gears. Fukui decided the company needed to emphasize well-engineered vehicles most likely to reach a mass audience, instead of focusing on cars for the niche market. The firm alluded to killing off the S2000 earlier this month when Fukui made his state-of-the-company speech. During that presentation, Fukui announced the end of the Honda NSX project, as well as several Acura rear-wheel-drive cars, a Honda CR-Z convertible, and a new V8 engine.

Despite the company restructuring, it was the Honda S2000's fledgling sales that spelled doom. In 1999, the company sold 596 units in Australia, but by 2007 they only sold 26 in the entire country. U.S. sales peaked in 2001 and 2002, with the company selling nearly 19,400 in those two years alone. In 2007 and 2008, Honda could not even put 7,000 units on the road.

In the end, the Honda S2000 was destined for the chopping block. It will be sad to see this roadster go. Hopefully, Honda will bring back something similar, maybe as a hybrid or electric vehicle.

Source: Honda

Press Release (Click to expand)

The 2009 Honda S2000 will be the final model year produced of the award-winning roadster, Honda announced today. First introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the S2000 helped define its segment with class-leading handling, engine technology and value. Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary, S2000 production was extended in response to customer demand and critical acclaim.

"The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans."

As a true sports car that can serve as a practical and fun daily driver yet feel equally at home on a racetrack, this concept further evolved with a club racer-inspired S2000 CR trim, first offered in the 2008 model year. The S2000 has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including four appearances on Car and Driver Magazine's coveted "10-Best" list.

The S2000 is sold in 64 countries around the world with cumulative world-wide sales of over 110,000 since its introduction in 1999. Over 65,000 S2000s have been sold in the United States since 1999.

 

Comments

Motor_Yakuza
January 27, 2009 12:03 AM
Yeah, the S2000 will be out of production, to be replaced by the S3000 *don't mind me, just day dreaming*

jagervw
January 27, 2009 12:04 AM
Long in the tooth...

kimbo
January 27, 2009 12:16 AM
amazing car, as amazing as old NSX was. Both were so much time in production, but never outdated.

adottkiddy
January 27, 2009 12:55 AM
One of the best parts of the car was the high revving engine.

Joe_Limon
January 27, 2009 2:57 AM
that weight more then a vettes LS engine?

sub39h
January 27, 2009 2:53 AM
i never understood the appeal. for me it would be something like a Cayman or a 350Z every time... it's a shame to see Honda axe the only interesting model they make, tho. But then again, waiting for the market to pick up again before they release a successor is probably a smart idea.

Joe_Limon
January 27, 2009 3:03 AM
No interest in the Civic SI? for $22,000 that's a nice car.

carcrazy1234
January 27, 2009 4:09 AM
but altogether weighs far less the the entire corvette. its far better balanced than the corvette i bet

Joe_Limon
January 27, 2009 5:10 AM
Uh oh... here I go again... according to road and track a vette pulls .94 g's in skid pad, a s2000 only about .89, add in more power, torque and comparable fuel economy with the s2000... but hey, these cars aren't comparable, for the price the s2000 puts together a pretty decent package.

Xanavi23
January 27, 2009 4:11 AM
Makes no sense. The S2000 competes well in its class, good performance, great looks, good fuel economy. Unless Honda wants to build nothing but boring ugly cars, this is Stupid.

Ironically, Toyota pushes ahead with the LF-Aa balls to the wind PUUURE sports car, and Honda cencels the S2000...People call Toyota boring.

122
January 27, 2009 10:36 AM
This car's lifespan has been 10 years. And despite this being a good car, its gotta call it quits sooner rather than later.

You'd have to understand that Honda as a company are usually wise, due to the economic crisis it is unlikely that a sports car is on top of the list.

Xanavi23
January 27, 2009 5:06 PM
Ya, but its a sports car that still gets mid 20s city mpg, and high 20s highway mpg so its economical. Honda losing all their cars that have balls will not look good. In a year they will have no halo car, they'll just be a company for "greenies" and similar losers. Not talking about you.

NISMO
January 27, 2009 4:22 AM
Never was a big fan of these, I always thought they looked like a big door stop, and not real big on convertibles in general. Aside from that all the right ingredients were there, though. RWD...high revving...light-weight..it'll be a shame to see it go, but hopefully a replacement isn't far off.

ShinyG
January 27, 2009 9:46 AM
Unfortunately, they already announced that the new NSX and the S2000 successor have been canceled :( This period is a very sad one for sports car enthusiasts!

Motor_Yakuza
January 27, 2009 4:39 PM
Get use to it, "It may take more than seven years to come back to this (2007) level" said Carlos Ghosn

BabyMilo
January 27, 2009 5:22 AM
They still make this`!! i thought that production stopped years ago. I was never a big fan though i never saw it as nice looking

blay
January 27, 2009 12:04 PM
Jeremy Clarkson will be LIVID lawlz...

and it is such a shame that it has to go like this. as old as this car is, it's still such a classic. *shakes head* RIP old friend.

Xanavi23
January 27, 2009 5:07 PM
R.I.P. to the true essence of a proper sports car. The S2000

Jasper
January 27, 2009 4:16 PM
A modern classic, such a shame to see it go, full of soul, I hate the direction Fukui is taking Honda towards, it would be a crime not to have a sportscar in the Honda line up!

mechamynd
January 27, 2009 5:03 PM
It will always live in our memories...

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